Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-09
THE ZIG STRIKE.
Old Freight-Handlers Going Back to
Work-The Strike a Failure.

Work-The Strike Failure.
New York, February Sth-The strikers
whom Police Inspector Steers met when
he made his tour of the North river front
to-day, acknowledged that they were beaten.
Freight is offered in less quantities than is
usual on Monday, and the green handlers
were nearly equal to it. There were more
men applying for work al the piers than
can be accommodated with places.
There was considerable activity on the
piers of the river front this morning, and
freight was being moved with much more
dispatch than on any day since the strike.
The time that has elapsed since the long
shoremen and freight-handlers quit work
has enabled the railroad and steamship
companies to select, and, in some cases,
train sufficient men TO keep the freight
moving steadily along. Besides, many of
the old freight-handlers and 'longshoremen
are coming back to work not at places
where they are known, but where they are
least likely to be known.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING
THE STRIKES.
New YORK, February Sth.-The Assem-
bly, Committee to inquire into the cause of
the strike met again yesterday. Fred Pitts,
President OF the New York, Ontario and
Western, gavean outline of the coal-mining
and handling industry, with the price at
mines the price at the Jersey City docks,
lighterage, trimming, etc, and the whole
sale and retail prices IN New York. twas
difficult to estimate the cost of transporta-
ton. He then outlined the plan of the
coal pool. In July last coal was at the
lowest point in the history of the trade.
He believed in arbitration, if the decision
of the arbitrators could be enforced.
President Corbin, Of the Reading road,
testified that his company has 70 collieries,
and produces from six to seven million
tons Of coal annually. The collieries are
over one hundred miles from the water.
Large expenses are involved in drawing
the empty coal cars to the mines from tide
water, This is not included in the &C.
counts of the company.
Mr.. Corbin's remedy for the trouble be-
tween capital and labor was arbitration.
but he could not advise any plan. The COM
pany had had trouble with their men
some months ago, which was settled salts
faCtorily by arbitration. The company tried
to live up TO the decision of the arbitra-
ton, and the workingmen were satisfied,
but it is said now that they would 20 out
again. because some one else who works
for another company is dissatisfied. There
seems 10 be no plan by which an arbitra-
ton can combine workingmen. The Read
ing load had lost over $50, 600, 600 in the
coal business. Prices were now below
profitable point.
A DECIDED IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS.
New YORK, February Sth.-Along the
North river front there is a decided i'm
proyement in the business of the railroad
and steamship companies, and freight is
more easily handled to-day. The streets
leading to the piers are no longer choked
up with trucks, a number of muscular
countrymen have been put to work, who
are learning rapidly. The Italians are
gradually being discharged, as better help
is secured. At the Pennsylvania pier No.
40, fifty of the old men went back to-day.
The conference called here to-day at Aus
tin Corbin's office was well attended The
conference adjourned until tomorrow.